Analysing and communicating data

Question 1

What is critical appraisal?

Answer 1

The process of carefully and systematically examining research to judge its quality as well as usefulness. An important element of evidence-based medicine.

Question 2

What is relative risk (RR)?

Answer 2

The ratio of the probability of an event occurring in the treatment group to the probability of the event occurring in the comparison, placebo group.

Question 3

What is a confidence interval?

Answer 3

A 95% confidence interval is a range of values that you can be 95% certain contains the true mean of the population.

Question 4

Give examples of questions you should ask when critically appraising a scientific study.

Answer 4

Was the research question interesting or useful?
Was the hypothesis clearly stated?
Does the conclusion match the hypothesis?
Do the data and analyses support the conclusions?
Was the study appropriate for testing the hypothesis?
What were the limitations?
How has the paper contributed to clinical science/practice?

Question 5

What are the different types of critical thinking?

Answer 5

Information – describe the facts and information.
Reaction – describe feelings towards the research.
Benefits – explain the positive aspects of the research.
Risks – explain the negative aspects of the research.
Possibilities – describe alternative approaches.
Planning – discuss possible next steps.